Arabian tea tree, Bushman’s tea, Khat
Catha edulis

Family: Celastraceae

What it is like

A shrub or small evergreen tree. It grows to 7-18 m high and spreads 3 m across. Trees that are regularly harvested are smaller. The stem is erect. The bark is grey and smooth when young. It becomes dark brown and flaky at maturity. The branches hang downwards. The leaves are simple and opposite. The leaves are glossy green and oval. They are 5-11 cm long and the edges of the leaf have small teeth. Leaves are paler underneath. The leaf stalks are reddish and about 1 cm long. The flowers are very small and pale green to white and with 5 petals. They occur in small clusters in the axils of leaves. The clusters are up to 2 cm across. The fruit has 3 lobes. It is a woody capsule about 1 cm long. It is reddish brown when mature. It contains many small winged seeds.

There is only one Catha species. The leaves contain the alkaloids cathine, cathenine and cathidine. They affect the nervous system. The plant is banned in some countries.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It does best on well drained soils. It prefers an open sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. In Uganda they grow from 1,400-2,200 m altitude. In Ethiopia it grows between 900-2,400 m above sea level. It needs a temperature above 10°C. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 800-1,800 mm per year. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Angola, Asia, Central Africa, China, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Hawaii, India, Israel, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, USA, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are chewed as a stimulant. They can also be made into a tea. They are dried for tea. Caution: There are cautions about the excessive chewing of leaves. It can cause impotence.

It's use is common in Somalia and Yemen. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, caution, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by using cuttings. Suckers and root cuttings can be used. Seeds germinate within 2 weeks. (There are 60,000-80,000 seeds per kg.) Plants can be shaped or pruned.

The tree is fast growing. It suckers readily. The stimulant effect is less in cooler places.

Its other names

Local names

Abyssinian tea, Boesmanstee, Cat, Igqwaka, Iwani, Kat, Luthadzi, Miraa, Mkalanga, Mlomomnandzi, Muhulo, Mushyuluti, Mutsawari, Muza-ramashawa, Ndimamadzi, Qaad, Quat, Umhlwazi, Umlomo-mnandzi

Synonyms

Catha forsskalii A. Rich.; Catha inermis J. F. Gmel.; Celastrus edulis Vahl; Dillonia abyssinica Sacleux; Methyscophyllum glaucum Eckl. & Zeyh.;